Closure device



May 29, 1934. L K SNELL 1,960,354

CLOSURE- DEVICE Filed June 24, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Eze/ente# fmfw.

May 29, 1934. K, SNELL 1,960,354

CLOSURE DEVICE Filed June 24, 1931 2 sheets-sheet 2 ITIUCIZOZ Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATES istinti- PA'rsNr orifice Manufacturing Company,

corporation of Ohio Cleveland, Ohio, a

Application June 24, 1931, Serial No. 546,539 9 Claims. (Cl. 22d-24) This invention relates to closure devices for vehicle fuel tanks, radiators, or the like, and more particularly to a novel form of device of this kind in which the cap and tubular members are hinged together.

An object of this invention is to provide a closure device having novel means for operably con-V necting a cap member with a tubular member to be closed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplified form of cap of the baycnet type.

The invention may be further briey summarized as consisting in certain novelcombinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter disclosed and particularlyset out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a closure device constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tubular member showing the position of the hinge linkage when the cap member is in the closed position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the cap and neck members substantially as indicated by the irregular section line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of my closure device showing the cap member in the open position;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cap member;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan View of another closure device embodying my invention; Y

Fig. 7 is a Vertical sectional view thereof, taken substantially on the irregular section line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view partly in section showing the cap member in the open position;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of another closure device embodying my invention; and

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View thereof taken substantially `on the irregular section line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

In the accompanying drawings, to which detailed reference will now be made, I have shown the preferred forms of the closure device of my invention, but it will be understood, of course, that my invention may also be embodied in various other closure devices.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, my closure device comprises, in general, a tubular neck member 12, a closure or cap member 13, and articulated connecting linkage 14 for permanently retaining the cap and tubular members in associated relation.

The tubular member may be of any suitable form, but, as here shown, is of circular crosssection, having an inner end l5 which may be secured around an opening through the wall of a container, and an outer end which is provided with an outwardly extending, radial flange 16.

The material .forming this flange is preferably shaped to form a circumferential bead 17 which constitutes a gasket seat. At diametrically op-V posed points on the flangel, lugs or ears 18 eX- tend laterally to form bayonet locking means. Preferably two such lugs are provided, although any desired number may be employed.

The cap member, which is adapted to close the outer end of the tubular member, is provided with a body portion or element 19 to which an ornamental outer shell 20 may be secured, as by a press t, or any other suitable means. The body portion of the cap is preferably constructed as a sheet metal stamping of substantially cuplike form having a relatively fiat top wall 21 and an annular skirt 22 depending therefrom and cooperating with the ears 18 to center the cap on the tubular member. Along the lower edge of this depending skirt, the metal thereof is bent or deflected substantially radially inwardly to form the circumferentially extending fiange 23. At diametrically opposed points the ange 23 is notched out to provide openings 24 of appropriate Width to accommodate the locking lugs 18 of the tubular member when the cap member is applied thereto. At one side of each of the openings 24 the flange 23 is shaped to form locking cams 25 for engagement with the locking lugs of the tubular member. It shold be noted that the locking cams of the cap member are two in number to correspond with the locking lugs of the tubular member, and that these cams are formed with an inclined portion for drawing the tubular member and cap member together as the latter is rotated, This inclined cam portion merges into the relatively straight portion of the flange 23, against which the lugs -18 bear when the cap member is in the locked position. To limit rotational movement of thecap member in the locking direction, a suitable stop 26 may be provided in the path of movement of the locking lugs 18, preferably by pressing some of the metal of the flange 23 toward the top wall 21, as-shown in Figs. 4 and 5. At the side of each opening 24 opposite the lockingcarnv 25, a portion of the nange 23 is deflected toward the top wall 21 to form an inclined lug 2'7. These inclined lugs act as throw-off cams and assist in disengaging the cap member from the tubular member upon rotary movement of the former in the Vreleasing direction.

Within the cap body portion 19 I provide an annular gasket 29, preferably of fiber or other tough material, which engages the gasket seat 17 of the tubular member and is yieldingly pressed against the latter by a resilient disc 30. This disc is preferably formed of metal, such as spring steel, bronze or the like, and is'so designed that when the cap member is applied to the tubular member the flat peripheral portion 31 of the disc will hold the gasket against the gasket seat with the desired degree of pressure. It will be noted that the resilient ldisc 30 bears against the top wall 19 of the cap body substantially centrally thereof, and to provide suitable bearing means at this point,

the top wall may be formed with an annular rib 32 which is engaged by the relatively flat central portion or area 33 of the disc member.

In order that the resilience of the disc 30 may be a maximum, and to avoid the danger of this member being stressed beyond its elastic limit or being snapped to a bowed condition which is the reverse of that illustrated, I prefer to make this member of dished or saucer-like form with the central area 33 depressed below the annularlyextending curved portion 34. By giving the resilient disc the form villustrated and described, the deflection or distortion `produced in this member by the application of force to the central area 33 is distributed over a larger area of the disc than if the center thereof were not initially depressed. It will thus be seen that since the stress applied to the disc is dissipated in working more of the metal thereof, there is less danger for any one part of the disc being stressed beyond its elastic limit. Moreover, since the central area is initially depressed below the annular rib 34, the disc will not readily be snapped to a reverse bow.

It will be seen from the arrangement thus far described that the resilient disc and gasket are normally retained within the cap body portion 19 by the laterally extending flange 23 and the locking cams 25. The resilient disc 30 is preferably made somewhat smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the skirt 22 and may be formed with lugs 35 spaced circumferentially around its outer edge soas to facilitate assembly thereof in the, body element 19. The gasket 29 being interposed between the disc 30 and the ilange 23, results in the disc vbeing loosely and rotatably retained in the body element 19. When the cap member is applied to the tubular member, thegasket seat 17 `engages the gasket, tending to deflect the resilient disc 30. The vdeflection Aof this disc causes the locking cams 25 to yieldingly engage the locking lugs 18, thereby pressing the gasket firmly against its seat.

For operably connecting the cap member with the tubular member in such a way that these parts may be releasably locked together by relative rotation therebetween, and so that the cap member may be swung ventirely clear of the tubular member, I provide the articulated linkage 14 forming a hinge connection between these members. This hinge connection comprises a link 36 which is so arranged as to permit the cap member to be movedto lan open position which is entirely clear of the opening of the tubular member, as shown in Fig. 4, and to recede into the tubular member when the cap member is moved to the closedposition. The link 36 is operably connected with the tubular member by having the end 37 thereof pivoted to a Vlug 38 which is vsecured to the inner surface of the wall of the tubular member. The'oppositeend 39 of this link is pivoted to a connectingmember 40'which is secured to the resilient disc 30, preferably substantially centrally thereof, as by means of .the rivet 41. When the cap is in closed position the pivots at the ends of the link 36 -lie .in a Iplane that is substantially parallel with the plane of the outer end of the tubular member 12 yso that the 'initial opening movement of the cap will be Vsubstantially normal to said end. It will be seen from the arrangement describedthatthe pivotal connection of the end 39 of the link with the connecting member 40, and the rotatability of the resilient disc 30 within the cap body portion, provide a universal connection between the link 36 and the cap member which Apermits rotation of the latter relative to the tubular member. It should also be noted that while the element 40 is connected to the resilient disc 30 substantially centrally thereof, the point of connection between the element 40 and the link 36 is eccentric with respect to the cap member. The eccentric location of this pivotal connection causes the cap member to be thrown further away from the tubular member when swung to the open position, so that an ornamental cap shell of'large size, such as is shown on the cap member illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, will be entirely clear of the opening of the tubular member. 'This movement of the cap, to an out-of-the-way position, is also obtained in part by constructing the link 36, as shown in Fig. 3, with angularly disposed arm portions of unequal length, the shorter arm portion being pivoted to the lug or bracket 38 and the longer arm portion being pivoted to the connecting member or bracket 40.

In Figs. 6 to 8 of the drawings I have shown another closure device embodying my invention, in which a cap member is operably connected to a tubular member 46 by means of articulated linkage 47 which, in principle, is similar to that already described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5. The cap member of this arrangement is of the vented type, such as may be used on fuel tanks,

or t .e like, which require venting to atmosphere l as the contents is withdrawn, Within the body portion or element 48 of this cap member, I provide a gasket 49 which engages the gasket bead 50 of the tubular member, and a resilient disc or spring 51 for pressing the gasket against its seat. Thisres'ilient disc is constructed in the form of va sheet metal stamping having a substantially flat peripheral flange for engagement with the gasket 49 and a depending central cup portion 52 providing an air chamber. This chamber 'communicates with the interior of the tubular member through vent passages 53 sheared through the bottom wall 54 of the cup portion. The metal displaced in forming these vent openings `is preferably deflected to form hood-like bafes 55 for the openings.

To provide the resilient disc with a suitable bearing against the top wall of the body portion, I form this top wall with a central annular bead 56 which is engaged by the flange of a cup-shaped bearing member l57. This bearing vmember -is held against the bottom wall of the resilient disc by means of the rivet 58 whichalso secures the resilient disc to the connecting element 59 of the articulated hinge linkage 47.

The air chamber formed within the depending extension of the resilient disc may be vented to atmosphere by providing any suitable arrangement of passages, such as a vent passage `60 through the top wall of the body portion 48 and a vent passage 61 through the wall of the ornamental cap 62 which is secured to the latter. To reduce the amount of liquid escaping through the vent passages to a minimum, it may be desirable to provide an additional baiile member in th`e form of a cup-shaped stamping 63 which surrounds the bearing member 57, and is retained in place by being pressed into the depending cup portion :52.

In Figs. 9 and l0 of the drawings, I have shown another closure device embodying my invention, in which a cap member is connected to a tubular member 66 by means oi articulated linkage 67 of the character described in connection with Figs. l to 5. The cap member 65 is provided vfith an ornamental body element having a top wall 68 and a depending annular skirt 59. A ring 70, which is secured in the body element, carries a cylindrical. flange portion 7l which terminates at its lower end in a laterally extending flange 72. At diametrically opposed points, openings 73 are provided in the flange 72 to accommodate the locking lugs 74 of the tubular member. Adjacent each opening 73 a portion oi the ange 72 is deected to form inclined locking cams 75 for cooperation with the locking lugs of the tubular member. Likewise, as in Figs. A and 5, portions oi the flange 72 may be deected to provide the stops 76 and the throw-oit cams 77.

As clearly shown in Fig. l0, the cylindrical flange 71 of the ring 70 provides the cap member with a recess in which is disposed an annular gasket 78 and a resilient disc 79 for pressing the gasket against the annular bead 8G of the tubular member. The Iiange 72 and the locking cams retain the gasket and the resilient disc in assembly in the recess with the resilient disc rotatable therein. The resilient disc is preferably provided with a sha-lloc.7 cup-shaped bearing member 81 for engagement with the top Wall 68. This bearing cup is preferably secured to the central area or the resilient disc by means oi a rivet 82 which also secures the disc to the connecting element 83V of the articulated linkage 6'?.

lt will now be readily seen that in the closure devices which l have disclosed, the hinge connection between the cap and tubular members comprises an articulated linkage which recedes n into the tubular member when the cap member r is moved to the closed position, and during normal use of the closure device this hinge connection is hidden from view. rIhis articulated linkage and the novel connection of the same with the cap member permit the latter to be quickly and easily swung to a position entirely in the clear of the opening or the tubular member. Furthermore, in this arrangement the cooperating locking cams on the tubular member and cap member are not exposed to the fluid of the i container which, in some instances, may be ci a corrosive nature.

While I have described the closure device of my invention in a detailed manner, it should ,i be understood, however, that I do not intend to limit myself to the precise details and arrangements of parts illustrated and described, but regard my invention as including such changes and modications which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope oi the appended claims. so.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: l. A closure device comprising a tubular member having a gasket seat and bayonet locking means adjacent thereto, and a cap member for closing said tubular member, said cap member end thereof secured to said resilient member and the other end thereof secured to said tubular member interiorly of the latter.

2. A closure device comprising a tubular member having an opening to be closed and bayonet locking means adjacent said opening, a cap member for closing said opening and having a body portion provided with bayonet locking means adapted to cooperate With the bayonet locking means of said tubular member, said cap member also having a gasket therein and resilient means rotatable in said body portion for pressing said gasket against said tubular member, and hinge means connecting said cap member to said tubular member, said hinge means comprising a link having one end pivotally connected with said tubular member interiorly thereof, connecting means secured to said resilient means substantially centrally thereof, and means pivotally connecting the other end of said link to said connecting means.

3. A closure device comprising a tubular inember having a gasket seat and bayonet locking means adjacent thereto, and a cap member for closing said tubular member. said cap member having a body element provided with bayonet locking means adaptedto cooperate With the bayonet locking means of tubular member, a gasket in said body element for engagement with said gasket seat, a resilient member rotatably retained in said body element for yieldingly pressing said gasket against said seat, said gasket and said resilient means being normally retained in assembled relation in said body element by the bayonet locking means of thelatter, and linkage hingedly connecting said cap member with said tubular member and adapted to recede into the latter upon movement of the cap member toward closed position, said linkage having one end thereof secured to said resilient member and the other end thereof secured to said tubular member interiorly of the latter.

4. A closure comprising a cap body having atop wall with a. depending skirt portion, a ring member mounted in said cap body, said ring member having an annular flange portion with integral inclined locking cams projecting therefrom for engagement with locking projections on a tubular member to be closed, a gasket Within the recess formed by the annular flange portion of said ring member, and a resilient member in said recess for pressing said gasket against the end of said tubular member, said resilient member having bearing means substantially centrally thereof for engagement with the top Wall of said cap body.

5. A closure comprising a cap body having a top Wall with a depending skirt portion, a ring member mounted in said cap body, said ring member having an annular ilange portion with integral inclined locking cams projecting therefrom for engagement with locking projections on a tubular member to be closed, a gasket Within the recess formed by the annular flange portion of said ring member, a resilient member in said recess for pressing said gasket against the end of said tubular member, said resilient member being rotatable in said recess and having bearing means substantially centrally thereof for engagement with the top wall of said cap body, said gasket and said resilient member being retained in said recess by said locking cams, and hinge means operably connected to said tubular member and to the ro-tatable resilient member.

6. A closure device comprising a member having an opening to be closed, a cap adapted to close said opening, said cap having a body portion provided with a depending marginal skirt and a resilient substantially circular part retained in said body portion and about which the body portion is rotatable, cooperating means on said member and said cap for releasably locking the same together, and hinge means connecting said member and said capso as to permit rotation of said cap relative to said member, said hinge means being pivotally connected at one end thereof to said member and at its other end being connected with said resilient part substantially on the axis of rotation of said body portion.

'7. A closure device comprising a member having an opening to be closed and a sealing surface around said opening, a cap adapted to be applied to said sealing surface to close said opening, said cap having a relatively rotatable part thereon, cooperating means on said member and said cap for releasably locking the same together, and means connecting said member and said cap so as to permit relative rotation therebetween, said connecting means being hinged at one end there-v of to said member at a point inwardly of said sealing surface and at its other end being hinged to said relatively rotatable part, said hinged connections being in a plane substantially parallel with said sealing surface when the cap is in closed position, the hinge connection between said connecting means and said relatively rotatable part being eccentric to the axis of rotation of said cap.

8. A closure device comprising a tubular member provided with a gasket seat and bayonet locking means, a cap member for closing said tubular member, said cap comprising a body provided with bayonet locking means adapted to cooperate with the bayonet locking means of saidtubular member upon rotation of said cap member relative to said tubular member, a gasket for coopera tion with the gasket seat of said tubular member, means rotatable in said cap body and adapted to press said gasket against said seat when said cap member is applied to said tubular member, and means connecting said cap member and said tubular member comprising linkage hinged at one end thereof to said tubular member and having its opposite end operably connected to said rotatable means substantially on the axis of rotation of said cap member, said rotatable means being retained in said cap body by said gasket.

9. A closure device comprising a tubular member having an opening to be closed, a cap member to be applied to the outer end of said tubular member to close said opening having a skirt arranged exteriorly of the tubular member to center ythe cap on the latter, cooperating bayonet means on said tubular member and said cap for releasably locking the same together, and hinge means connecting said cap to said tubular member including a part pivoted to the cap for rotaf tion about the axis thereof, a link pivoted to said part at a point laterally oiset from the cap axis, said link being pivotally connected to said tubular member inwardly of its outer end, and the pivots at the ends of said link lying in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the outer end of said tubular member when the cap is in closed position whereby the initial opening movement of the cap will be substantially normal to said end.

LYLE K. SNELL. 

